Page 36 of Savage Little Lies

“Nothing will happen to you,” I assure her. If something does, we’re both fucked, so I decide to put at least two men on her at all times.

When we’re married, I’ll be expected to be her main protector. The man who guards his wife from all threats. No exceptions.

If I fail, I might as well kiss my own life goodbye. She could catch pneumonia and die, and her father would still make it my fault.

Annika’s eyes roam over my face like she’s trying to catch an untrustworthy twitch. As if I’m not scrutinized enough by everyone else in my life.

“You know what I would love right now?” Annika asks suddenly as she drags her forefinger along my jaw, making me nearly grimace as her nail no doubt leaves behind a red line on my skin. “A drink. Take me for brunch somewhere nice. I want a mimosa.”

I planned on staying in today and getting updates from my men about the shooting, but it looks like I’ll be going out on a date with my bride-to-be. Because of her determination to bitch and cry to her father when she doesn’t get her way, I’m wary about even saying no to a brunch date. It’s the least I can do after abandoning her last night.

She thinks she owns me. But if I’m trapped in this arrangement, so is she. There are rules for her to follow as well.

“Let me get changed. Wait here,” I tell her before drawing away from her, finally able to breathe once more now that she’s not invading my personal space.

She already did that by showing up at my place unannounced, though.

I shut my bedroom door behind me, my back pressing against the wood.

Look at me. Hiding from a goddamn woman.

This arrangement is choking me.

I push myself off the door to step into my walk-in closet, tailored suits and other pieces of luxury clothing flanking me on both sides. I need to get myself together before anyone notices that I’m slowly descending into this miserable madness.

Wanting Cara may as well be a death wish.

14

Cara

This mission has revealed something ugly: I can’t trust anyone.

As I walk to work on Monday morning, conflicting thoughts fill my head, drowning out the traffic and noise of the city that surrounds me.

You’re supposed to be able to trust your father. Your parents are supposed to protect you.

My mother is gone, and my father might be lying to me.

He swore that he didn’t have anything to do with the shooting on Friday night, but I can’t help wondering if he sounded defensive or not during our call. He was certainly pissed that I suspected he was the one behind the shooting, but I suppose no one likes to be blamed for something they didn’t do.

I turn the corner, a warm breeze caressing the bare skin of my knees and below where my white dress doesn’t cover. I can’t begin to guess how much money I’ve spent on clothes since taking this job, but I have to keep playing the part of temptress if I want this plan to work.

Dmitri saved me before he looked for his bride. That’s progress.

I head into the building and up to his floor, gathering my breath before stepping out of the elevator.

“Morning,” Karly says quickly as she flips through some paperwork on her desk, too focused on her task to even spare me a glance. She doesn’t look the least bit bothered by the assassination attempt on her boss, as if it’s just another day in the office. I guess it is for her if she’s been around so long that she came to Vegas with Dmitri from New York.

“Morning,” I reply, walking past her without slowing my pace. My mind flip-flops back and forth as I approach the closed double doors that I know he’s waiting behind.

What does he respond to? Does he want fragile or fire?

While working with Dmitri, I’ve learned a decent bit about him. He can’t stand weakness from his own men, but he’s typically kind and helpful when there’s a woman in need.

However, he also likes a challenge and people who have backbones, whether they’re a man or a woman.

What role should I play?